Stair gates are a vital part of any home. They can keep your kids safe and prevent them from running up or down the stairs. This tutorial on how to build a stair gate will show you how to build one using your own tools and materials.
We will help you build a stair gate by using wood. The woodwork is not too difficult, but takes a while. Once the wood is ready, we can install hinge brackets and hinges. After that, we need to install foam blocks to attach the gate to the wall at the top of each stairway.
When it comes to childproofing, stair gates are essential. But what if you’re renting and can’t drill holes into your walls? Or maybe you just want a little more craftsmanship in your stair gate. This step-by-step guide will help you build a wooden gate that fits flush against the wall and requires no drilling.
Step 1 A simple stair gate is made up of just two components, a cross-bar and a vertical post, both of which can be made from off-cut timber.
A simple stair gate is made up of just two components, a cross-bar and a vertical post, both of which can be made from off-cut timber. For this tutorial we’re going to use a length of 100mm x 25mm x 1.8m treated pine fencing board as our cross-bar (you can also use 50mm x 25mm if you prefer), and a length of 100mm x 25mm x 3m treated pine fencing board for the vertical posts.
Step 2 Measure the distance between vertical posts and cut a length of timber to this size.
- Measure the distance between vertical posts and cut a length of timber to this size.
- Don’t worry about making it perfect or even square, as you’ll be cutting the timber again later.
- The timber should be at least twice the thickness of your gate and you should ensure that it’s long enough for both sides to fit correctly in their respective spaces.
Step 3 Mark the section where you want to make your cuts, allowing some wood to be left on either side of the gate opening so you have something to attach the hinges to later
Now that you’ve cut your screws, it’s time to mark where you want to make your cuts on the wood. The first thing you’re going to do is measure the width of the gate opening, which should be about 1 inch wider than each side of your stairway.
Now with a straight edge and pencil, mark where each side of the gate opening will go so that when you finally put everything together, it will have some flexibility in case there are small gaps or uneven surfaces along either edge of the stairs.
Step 4 Take the prepared cross bar over to your circular saw and use it as a guide for cutting out the gap for the gate.
- Take the prepared cross bar over to your circular saw and use it as a guide for cutting out the gap for the gate.
1 inch is enough for most gates, but you may need to make it slightly bigger depending on which type of gate you have purchased.
Use a circular saw with a blade that is at least 1/8” thick and preferably 1/4” thick (or more). Make sure that when you cut out this space, that it is big enough to accommodate your chosen stair gate, but not so big that it will allow your child to fit through.
Step 5 Join two pieces of 2 inch by 1 inch timber with screws and glue (the joint should be long enough to extend across two slats) then fix these to the top and bottom of the frame using four screws.
The joints between the frame and rails will be reinforced with screws and glue. This is an important joint, as it takes most of the strain from a heavy door opening against it.
The screws should be long enough to go through both sides of the frame so that they can be screwed into the timber that forms part of your gate.
Four screws are needed to fix each piece of timber together at right angles – two on each side (diagonally opposite corners).
Step 6 Screw on two butt hinges using screws that are long enough to go through both sides of the frame. Once these are fixed you can place your frame onto your stair posts and see if it fits – if there’s any adjustment needed, now’s the time to do it. Once you’re happy, mark around each post onto your frame with a pencil
Screw on two butt hinges using screws that are long enough to go through both sides of the frame. Once these are fixed you can place your frame onto your stair posts and see if it fits – if there’s any adjustment needed, now’s the time to do it. Once you’re happy, mark around each post onto your frame with a pencil.
Step 7 Drill holes into each mark then hold in position again and screw in place. If you haven’t already done so, trim off any excess timber so it doesn’t stick out past its posts.
- Drill holes into each mark then hold in position again and screw in place. If you haven’t already done so, trim off any excess timber so it doesn’t stick out past its posts.
Final words
We hope this helped you out. Good luck with the project.
